PM Spencer receive visit from Arab Democratic Republic Special Envoy
October 19, 2007
St. John's, Antigua
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PM Spencer and Ambassador Mohammed of Arab Democratic Republic
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Prime Minister the Honourable Baldwin Spencer on Wednesday received a visit from Ambassador Mohammed Beissat, Special Envoy to the Arab Democratic Republic, who also brought a letter of welcome from his President.
The Ambassador briefed the Prime Minister on the state of negotiations between the conflicting parties at the United Nations (UN), especially in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). The UNSC is considering extending the mandate of MINURSO Mission in Western Sahara which expires 31st October, 2007.
"In 1963, the United Nations (UN) included Western Sahara in the list of countries to be decolonised and asserted the right of the Saharawi people to self-determination. In 1966 the UN, for the first of many times, passed a resolution calling for this self-determination to be exercised by referendum.
There was organised pressure from the Saharawis for independence in the 1960s and early 1970s. This led to the establishment of the Polisario Front in 1973 and the beginning of its armed struggle. By 1974 Spain announced its intention to hold a referendum in 1975; however, it announced it was postponing the referendum when, at the request of King Hassan II of Morocco, the UN General Assembly sought an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Western Sahara.
Every six months the UN votes to keep MINURSO in place and each year passes a resolution supporting the right of the Saharawi people to self-determination. "
The Ambassador explained that the Polisario continued to support the UN Process and thanked the Prime Minister for the role played by Antigua and Barbuda, along with Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago in helping to reach a consensus at the UN in New York. He expressed gratitude towards CARICOM for the solidarity.
Prime Minister Spencer explained that CARICOM support had been long-standing and that some members had called for a review. He also called for greater efforts by the Polisario Front, Morocco and Algeria in seeking to conclude negotiations leading to a political settlement.
Prime Minister Spencer said that he was of the view that COFCOR should examine the matter so that there could be clarity about the regional position. He pointed out that Antigua and Barbuda had recently established diplomatic relations with Morocco, one of the principals in the Saharan matter.
Ambassador Mohammed emphasized that Morocco is occupying the territory of Western Sahara and that the planned referendum should assert the rights of self-determination for the Saharan people.
